Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Belonging, Lived.
Throughout the year, WHPS children encounter cultures, histories, identities, abilities, traditions, and perspectives through classroom learning and shared experiences across our community.
Learning Through the Life of Our Community.
Books and classroom learning matter, but so do people, music, food, art, performance, traditions, and stories. Families and community members help bring those experiences to life.
AAPI Heritage
One recent celebration became a schoolwide fashion show and runway walk, with students and families sharing clothing, traditions, and stories from across Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Hispanic & Latine Heritage
Student presentations, music, food, books, art, and classroom learning help children explore the histories and cultures represented across Hispanic and Latine communities.
Native American Heritage
Children explore Indigenous history and living cultures through stories, music, dance, classroom learning, and experiences such as visits to the Chumash Museum.
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year has included a schoolwide lion dance filled with music, movement, history, and celebration, alongside classroom books, art, and traditions.
History Through Stories, Music, Art & People.
Black history is part of learning throughout the year, with additional schoolwide experiences that have included student voices, books, music, dance, drum circles, artists, speakers, and stories.
We intentionally mix up the experiences so children encounter new people, ideas, and perspectives each year.
Different Minds. Different Bodies. Remarkable Lives.
Children grow up alongside people who think, communicate, learn, move, and experience life differently. We want those differences to be understood, respected, and discussed openly.
Neurodiversity Across the School
Through schoolwide neurodiversity programming, children learn about different ways brains can work and about well-known artists, athletes, scientists, performers, entrepreneurs, and others whose thinking or learning may differ from what is considered typical.
The focus is not the label. It is understanding that every person has strengths, challenges, interests, and a story.
Learning About Disability Through People
A visiting adaptive skateboarder shared his experiences with students, creating an opportunity to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and think differently about disability and ability.
Meeting People Who Expand Our View
Students also met a well-known actor with Down syndrome who shared stories about his life and career. Experiences like this make disability real, human, and much bigger than a label.
Sometimes the Best Lesson Walks Through the Door.
Michael D. McCarty
Multicultural storyteller Michael D. McCarty brought African and African American stories, history, humor, and his own remarkable life experience to WHPS.
His life included time as a member of the Black Panther Party in Chicago before decades as a professional storyteller. Children had the rare opportunity to connect history with a real person, conversation, and story.
There Is Always Another Story to Discover.
These are just a few more ways our community has recently learned and celebrated together.
Women's History
Students explore women whose ideas, leadership, creativity, and advocacy have shaped history and continue to shape the world.
Holi
The Festival of Colors comes to life through learning, community, and one of the most joyful celebrations of the year.
Nowruz
Children learn about Persian traditions, spring, new beginnings, and the meaning behind a Haft-Sin display.
Harvey Milk Day
Age-appropriate learning connects civil rights history with courage, fairness, equality, and standing up for others.
Follow Along.
We share many of these experiences, along with everyday classroom life, projects, celebrations, and visitors, on our main school Instagram.
Follow @whpschool on Instagram →